The Moscow International Festival of Arts “Sounds of Dutar” named after Nury Halmamedov invites musicians from various countries to take part in a competition for the best performance of academic music based on ethnocultural traditions.

To participate in the competition, applicants must submit their documents and video applications by October 1, 2025, through the official festival website at or via the platform of the Art Center at. The competition is conducted in a single round. The specialties of the competition include vocal art and instrumental performance (by types of instruments: string, wind instruments, piano, and folk instruments).

The nominations include: Soloists; Ensembles – instrumental, vocal, and vocal-instrumental; as well as a new nomination – Choirs (consisting of 12 or more people).

The jury of the competition, which is held annually as part of the “Sounds of Dutar” festival, includes leading figures of musical art from Russia, Turkmenistan, and other countries.

This year, the 9th Moscow International Festival of Arts “Sounds of Dutar” named after Nury Halmamedov is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the International Year of Peace and Trust. Additionally, the event is held in memory of the recently deceased outstanding artist Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli (1934–2025).

The event will take place in Moscow, in the halls of the Museum and Exhibition Complex of the Russian Academy of Arts, from October 27 to November 4. The goals of the competition are the preservation of national traditions, support for gifted youth, and the strengthening of mutual cultural influence among different peoples as a factor of social unity.